Robert was born to Bessie Evelyn Jones and Woodrow Wilson Cooper in Big Spring, Texas and was a native of Colorado City, Texas. He attended schools in Colorado City and last attended Colorado City High School in 1966. While in high school, he was very active in the Mitchell County 4H and exhibited grand champion steers at the State Fair of Texas and the Southwest Livestock Show in El Paso, as well as many local livestock shows.

Colorado City High School-1966

He dropped out of school before he graduated and enlisted in the U.S. Army his senior year. He completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and Armored Crewman training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

He began his tour in Vietnam and was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. His company was operating with 2/27th Infantry during Operation Saratoga in the Hobo and Boi Loi Woods during the month of December 1967. On December 22, 1967, Specialist Cooper was killed when his tank hit a boopy trapped V.C. mine. He sustained a severe head injury.

He was buried with full military honors in the Colorado City Cemetery. He was survived by his parents and his older brother, Mickey of Lubbock who had had Vietnam Service in 1963-64 and had discharged from the Army in 1964. He was also survived by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Jones of Trent and his paternal grandmother, Mrs W.M. Cooper also of Trent.

He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with V Device which was presented to his parents in a ceremony in Colorado City in May 1968. VIRTUAL WALL